Opponents of WNY Mayor Sal Vega join forces
West New York mayoral candidate Fior D’Aliza Frias announced Wednesday at a press conference that instead of running for mayor herself, she will join the Together We Can coalition of candidate Dr. Felix Roque to attempt to oust Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega and the current West New York mayoral administration in the upcoming May election.
In addition, 33rd District Assemblywoman Caridad Rodriguez (D-West New York) recently applied for a nominating petition at City Hall as a candidate for commissioner and is also in talks to run as an ally of Roque.
In West New York’s form of government, candidates technically run for five spots on the Board of Commissioners, and once elected, they choose a mayor from among themselves.
Rodriguez’s application for a nominating petition follows closely on the heels of Hudson County Democrats’ recent leadership meeting in Bayonne, where attendees learned that redistricting could mean West New York moves out of the 33rd District, represented by Union City Mayor and Sen. Brian P. Stack, and into the 32nd District, represented by North Bergen Mayor and Sen. Nicholas Sacco.
Dr. Roque will announce his full Board of Commissioners slate on Wednesday, March 9.
WNY swears in four officers, promotes six more
West New York Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega formally swore in four new officers to the WNY Police Department on Friday, Feb. 25 and bestowed promotions on six more officers as part of his ‘Keep WNY Safe’ 2011 campaign unveiled earlier this year.
The newly sworn-in officers – Robert Cirri, Richard Alvaredo, Hector Rodriguez, and Henry Espin-Zamoera – just recently graduated from the police academy and will immediately be assigned to patrol duty in town, according to a press release.
Promotions were given to sergeants Brian Dorman, Sergio Sanchez, and Mark Lombardi, Detective Ray Hernandez, and officers William Kelly and Erwin Moreno.
Plans for new officers and promotions were announced when Mayor Vega launched the town-wide comprehensive safety program called ‘Keep WNY Safe 2011,’ which brought together the West New York Police Department, Board of Education, Housing Authority, and regular citizens, and established a community tip line.
Members sought for UC Domestic Violence Response Team
Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack and the Board of Commissioners, in conjunction with WomenRising, have launched a recruitment drive for members of the Union City Domestic Violence Response Team. DVRT volunteers will be called on to respond to a safe environment at the Union City Police Station and offer care and guidance after an incident that involves domestic violence. A training course of 55 hours must be completed to become a certified DVRT member. Volunteers must be over 18 years of age, possess a valid driver’s license, and not have any offenses related to domestic violence. If you are interested in serving as a DVRT volunteer, please call WomenRising at (201) 333-5700 x544.
Community meetings will be held to discuss the school district
Mayor Brian P. Stack and the Board of Commissioners have announced a schedule of school community meetings regarding the progress of Union City schools. The meetings will be held in various neighborhoods and residents are encouraged to attend and meet with the superintendent of schools and school administrators. Mayor Stack will be present at the meeting as well.
The next meetings will be held Tuesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. at Jose Marti Freshman Academy, 1800 Summit Ave., and Wednesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. at Robert Waters School, 2800 Summit Ave. (use entrance in school yard).
NJMC presents ‘Schoolhouse Rock Live Too!’ show
New Jersey Theatre Alliance Family Week at the Theater and The Stages Festival presents “Schoolhouse Rock Live Too!” for ages 5 through 10 on Saturday, March 12 at 1 p.m. at the Meadowlands Environment Center, 2 DeKorte Parks Plaza, Lyndhurst.
“Schoolhouse Rock Live Too!” draws its inspiration from the Emmy Award-winning Saturday morning cartoon series, popular in the 1970s. Audiences of all ages will fall in love with Nina, the owner of a fading diner, and her wacky friends. The show is an energetic, colorful, fast-paced musical with zany, loveable characters, that just happens to be educational. Free admission.
For more information, call (201) 460-8300 or go online at www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec.